Grant Abstract: 2026 American Council for Medicinally Active Plants (ACMAP) Annual Conference from August 17-20, 2026

Grant Number: 1R13AT013879-01
PI Name: Raup-Konsavage
Project Title: 2026 American Council for Medicinally Active Plants (ACMAP) Annual Conference from August 17-20, 2026

Abstract: The American Council for Medicinally Active Plants (ACMAP) Annual Conference is multidisciplinary, in-person meeting that brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, and trainees to advance the scientific understanding of medicinal and bioactive plants. The 20226 ACMAP Annual Conference will be held August 17-20, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg (Grantville, PA), with an expected attendance of 100-120 participants predominantly from a range of academic institutions. The scientific program spans the full continuum of medicinal plant research – from ethnobotanical knowledge, through metabolite characterization, preclinical models, and processing methods, to clinical trials for human disease. Sessions will address both the medical potential and safety concerns of natural products and herbal remedies. The conference will feather 10 oral sessions (including one highlight top trainee poster abstracts), two poster sessions, two plenary lectures by internationally recognized scientists, and dedicated networking events to foster collaborations. Growing public interest in natural products for managing a range of health conditions underscores the urgent need for rigorous scientific evidence on their efficacy, mechanisms of action, and safety. The ACMAP conference directly aligns with the mission of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) to determine, through high-quality research, the usefulness and safety of complementary health approaches. The program will emphasize NCCIH priority areas including: elucidating biological mechanisms of natural products, improving methodological rigor in natural product research, and supporting translational studies that bridge preclinical and clinical findings. The meeting is designed to be inviting, with a strong emphasis on participation by early-stage investigators and trainees from a variety of backgrounds and educational institutions. Funds are requested to provide travel awards for trainees, enabling them to present their work, participate in professional development activities, and networking with established investigators. Support is also requested to offset travel costs for two plenary speakers whose expertise will enhance the scientific depth of the meeting and attract a broad audience. By facilitating exchange across discipline, fostering new collaborations, and supporting the next generation of scientists, the ACMAP Annual Conference will accelerate the development of the safe, effective, and evidence- based applications of medicinal plants and plant products in human health.

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